Duke’s men’s basketball team appears to be solidifying its potential starting lineup early in the season, with a core group of players consistently seeing time together in practice. This early cohesion suggests a likely starting five that could feature a blend of experience, athleticism, and size, positioning the team to compete effectively against top competition.
The projected starting five includes Caleb foster, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Cayden Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba. This lineup offers a compelling mix of attributes, with Foster and Boozer providing guard play, Maluach and Evans bringing length and athleticism, and Ngongba adding size and strength in the frontcourt. this combination is expected to provide Duke with the versatility and physical presence needed to match up against a wide range of opponents throughout the season.
the consistency in this potential starting five is notable, especially considering it’s still early in the team’s development. Last season, Duke’s starting lineup saw minimal changes outside of injury-related adjustments, such as when Cooper Flagg missed time due to an ankle sprain during the ACC Tournament.This history suggests a tendency for Coach Jon Scheyer to establish a core group and maintain that lineup unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
While the current projection points towards Foster, Maluach, Evans, Boozer, and Ngongba as the likely starters, the dynamic nature of college basketball means that changes are always possible.However, based on current observations and team composition, these five players represent the most probable starting unit for Duke’s opening night game.
